Blake ­Laser

Gr 3-6–In the year 2354, Blake Laser might just be the smartest and most tech-savvy 12-year-old in the galaxy—now, if only her family would notice. What begins as a simple family vacation in outer space quickly turns into a high-stakes mission to save Earth. When Blake and her goofy, artistic older brother Brody’s parents are kidnapped by a pair of bumbling, blue aliens (think Home Alone’s robbers, in space), the siblings are thrust into action. As Blake’s quick thinking and leadership guide them through one intergalactic challenge after another, she gains confidence and steps into her own. This fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi graphic novel is loaded with humor, too, complete with an alien leader known as “The Ultimate Supreme Flart.” Blake’s family dynamics play a key role, with her mom, who is Black, and her dad, who is white, learning to appreciate their kids’ strengths along the way. While the vibrant artwork draws readers in, it sometimes skimps on detail, and the character development of Blake’s friends is lacking. Blake and her friend Anusha teasing their new friend Sherman about his weight and nerdiness comes off as unsavory. Despite these minor issues, this novel is sure to be a hit with fans of Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl.